Sandpoint URA moves forward with Phase 3 downtown planning; staff to seek engineering firm and form advisory committee

The Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2 heard an update on the planned Phase 3 downtown revitalization project and approved the minutes of its Aug. 5 meeting.

Public Works Director Holly Allison told the board the downtown project will continue the streetscape and utility work completed in earlier phases, with ‘‘wider sidewalks, reconstructing the road, undergrounding our power lines, and our overhead utilities,’’ and that staff has issued a request for qualifications to engineering firms to identify a contractor to lead design and engineering work.

The board was told staff will return with a contract to formally engage the selected engineering firm. Allison said the agency will design ‘‘to a budget,’’ meaning design work will be sized to available Urban Renewal funds. She also said staff plans to form an advisory committee and expects to invite representatives from other city commissions, including the urban forestry and pedestrian/bicycle advisory bodies, to participate in early reviews to reduce late-stage changes.

Allison described potential efficiencies from having one engineer handle related scopes, including a planned review of the roundabout at First and Superior. She said the roundabout area lies outside the agency’s service boundary but that ‘‘there’s a lot of efficiencies getting that design with the same contract engineer.’’ Staff also said it is exploring a Community Development Block Grant to help stretch agency funds for design or construction further to the south toward Superior.

A remote speaker identified as Jeremy (role not specified in the record) cautioned against letting ‘‘the vocal minority come out and dominate and direct a project,’’ a concern mentioned as the board discussed advisory committee membership and community engagement strategies.

Project Manager Eric Bush was noted as absent; Holly Allison presented staff’s update in his stead. The meeting packet included a monthly financial report, on which commissioners raised no questions at the Sept. 2 meeting. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 a.m.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the minutes of its Aug. 5, 2025 meeting. The transcript did not record a mover, seconder, or a roll-call tally for that approval; the action was announced as passed.